Abstract: Included are: a cylindrical body (cylindrical portion 16) provided with a shaft portion (18); and a first valve body (11) that is in close contact with the shaft portion to close an opening portion (22) of the cylindrical body, and is separated from the shaft portion when pressure (P) in the cylindrical body rises to a threshold (Pth) or higher by gas that has entered the cylindrical body, to release the gas from the cylindrical body to the outside. The valve body includes a closing portion (40) that receives the pressure (P) of the gas in the cylindrical body. The pressure received by the closing portion (40) serves as a valve opening force. As a result, the discharge characteristics of the gas filling a case are improved to enhance a pressure regulation function.

Abstract: Provided is a heat exchanger capable of suppressing formation and adhesion of scale while achieving a higher heat transfer rate, and having a longer life. A heat exchanger 10 includes throttle passages 37 and 47 having smaller flow passage cross-sectional areas than another portion between an upstream space 25a and a downstream space 25b, and a plate heater 20 configured in such a manner that a heat generation density is lower in a portion closer to a water outlet 25b than in a portion closer to a water inlet 25a. This makes it possible to suppress a temperature from rising to a high temperature at which local boiling will take place, even in a boundary layer between a portion of the plate heater 20 which is closer to the water outlet 25b, where the temperature of the washing water tends to be high, and washing water contacting the portion of the plate heater 20 which is closer to the water outlet 25b, while improving the heat transfer rate.

Abstract: A washing nozzle of a toilet device has a flat part in its tip, and a jet hole for jetting washing water is provided in the flat part. The flat part and a tubular main body are monolithically joined together by a continuous face. This washing nozzle is manufactured by deep-drawing a thin sheet metal material and providing the flat part in its tip. Besides, a flow adjusting member for adjusting a flow of the washing water is internally inserted. These nozzles are stable in their jet directions, further crud is difficult to adhere thereto, and they are easy to be cleaned.

Abstract: A vibration sensor has a bell shaped casing with a recess formed at its closed end. The recess has a flat bottom and slanted side walls so that an opening of the recess is larger than the bottom of the recess. The casing serves as a first electrode. Mercury of drop-shape is disposed in the recess, and at least two second electrodes are disposed circumferentially around the mercury. This structure creates three vibration systems; i.e., the mercury vibrates in three different modes. The first vibration system is based on the surface tension of the mercury. A portion of the mercury protruding from the recess undergoes vibration. The second vibration system is due to gravity acting on the mercury. The mercury rolls out of the recess between the electrodes in response to vibrations. The third vibration system is based on resonance. The mercury resonates between the electrodes.

Abstract: An electric water heater includes an outer cylindrical structure having first and second openings defining a water inlet and outlet, respectively, and an inner cylindrical structure having an inner passage therethrough and coaxially disposed in the outer cylindrical structure to define an outer passage therebetween. The inner and outer passage are interconnected at one end of the structures and communicate respectively with the first and second openings. The inner cylindrical structure includes a cylindrical ceramic support secured at one end to the other end of the outer cylindrical structure, an electric resistance heating element on the outer surface of the ceramic support and a ceramic sheet having a thickness smaller than the ceramic support wound on the heating element so that it is embedded in the sheet.